South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War in Which Died | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 21 Aug 1915 in Havre, France | ~ | Ansley War Memorial |
| Merevale War Memorial Plaque | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of the Somme | January 1915 in Atherstone | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Le Petit Bazentine | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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Hollis is listed as being killed in action on 30 Jul 1916 during the Battle of the Somme at Delville Wood. The war diary for the day is transcribed below:
Becourt Wood - 29 Jul 1916: The morning was spent in cleaning up the camp. At 2.45pm the Battalion moved off to take over the line. B & C Coys took over the front lines and A & D Coys the support lines in which were Battalion HQ. At times the shelling was uncomfortably hot. Trenches - 30 Jul 16: During the night of 29th/30th a patrol went out to ascertain the amount of wire the enemy had in front of his line. The patrol returned safely and reported that the wire was well cut. Zero hour was fixed for 6.10pm and there was to be an intense bombardment for one minute at 6:09pm as a matter of fact there was heavy shelling by both sides for quite one hour before the assault which rather upset things. At one minute to zero the Coys, who were now all in the front line, crept out under the barrage, B&C making the first line A&D Coys the 2nd line. A, B and C Coys reached their objectives D Coy were stopped halfway by heavy M.G. Fire and lack of officers (casualties). Nevertheless they were led up into the line later. Meanwhile urgent messages came down to Batt HQ for reinforcements and more munitions. The H.Q Coy was then sent out to support and the Coys began consolidating. About 20 prisoners were taken and a machine gun, the majority of the prisoners being killed by their own shell fire together with their escort on the way back. The S.W. Borderers then went up and the communication trench was dug back to our original line. The Batt got into touch with the Kings Own Regt on the right but had no one on our left as the 10th Worcesters had failed. We were in fact the only Batt in the Bde who had gained their objectives. The shelling all through was very severe. Trenches - 31 Jul 16: In the morning B & C Coys were withdrawn from the new line and two Coys of the S W Borderers took their place. The Battalion bombers were also relieved by the Cheshire bombers. In the afternoon the Battalion was relieved by the Royal Scots. The relief was completed at 8pm and the Battalion marched back by Platoons at 200 yard interval to bivouac near the Transport field S of Becourt Wood. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Apr-Jun Qtr 1888 in Bentley | 27 May 1888 at Shustoke with Bentley |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Henry and Caroline Taylor | Sandy Lane, Bentley |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Florence Edith Taylor nee Harvey | Hollis Henry b 27 May 1911; Reginald b 9 Jul 1912 |
| 16 Jan 1911 in Shustoke | Doris May b 7 Nov 1914 |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1888 - Bentley | 1901 - School age |
| 1891 - Ridge Lane, Merevale | 1911 - Miner - Filler at Ansley Colliery |
| 1901 - Sandy Lane, Bentley | 1914 - Miner at Ansley Colliery |
| 1911 - Birchley Heath, Ansley | |
| 1916 - Ansley Chain, Ansley |
